Police secure Christmas, New Year

Police secure Christmas, New Year

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Jakarta Police officials said they planned to deploy around
12,200 personnel, or half of their full force of 23,000, to guard
the capital during Christmas and New Year celebrations from Dec.
24 to Jan. 7 amid heightened concern of possible terrorist
attacks.

City Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Prasetyo said on Thursday that
the police would reinforce churches' private security guards to
ensure trouble-free celebrations in what they are calling the
Lilin Jaya 2003 operation.

"Large churches, which host massive congregations, will top
our priority list for extra security," he said.

There are 647 churches all over Jakarta, Depok, Tangerang and
Bekasi.

In addition to churches, police will also beef up security in
shopping centers, recreational and entertainment centers, hotels,
and all places that will likely play host to large numbers of
holidaymakers.

Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara said on
Wednesday that possible terror attacks would still be the main
threats to security in the capital during the upcoming
celebrations.

Police reiterated their warning that the two most wanted bomb
experts, Dr. Azahari and Noordin M. Top, both Malaysian citizens
who have taken refuge in this country, were still at large and
might be preparing another devastating strike. Both suspects were
believed to be key operatives in the bombing at the JW Marriott
Hotel in South Jakarta, on Aug. 5.

Both Azahari and Noordin are believed to be senior commanders
of regional terrorist network Jamaah Islamiyah (JI), which is
reportedly responsible for the Bali bombings last year that
claimed 202 lives, mostly foreigners. Police also believe, based
on capture JI suspects, that the terror network was behind a
spasm of Christmas bombings in 2000 at several churches around
the country.

Prasetyo said military personnel, city public order officers
and firefighters would also help guard the celebrations.

Meanwhile, at the same time the police also plan to crack down
more against traffic violations, street crimes, smuggling and
foreigners criminals.

"We will get serious with motorists who violate traffic
regulations including those riding in open trucks and on the
roofs of buses, especially during the New Year's eve festivities,
because such activity can be quite risky," Prasetyo explained.

He also reiterated that police would "record any violations by
political party supporters that might take advantage of the large
crowds and start campaigning for next year's general elections.
Any violators will be swiftly reported to the Elections
Supervisory Body (Panwaslu)."

Standard measures for civilian security personnel to prevent bomb
attacks:

1. Sterilize venues

2. Observe the venue's surroundings, including the lobby, waste
containers, front and back yards and parking lots.

3. Check:

- incoming vehicles with portable metal detector if necessary

- incoming people (congregations, visitors and guests).

- luggage carried along, received packages.

4. Strictly monitor the situation in the venue and parking lots
during the activity. Be alert for suspicious persons, unattended
packages or bags.

5. If a container is suspected as a bomb, report the finding
immediately to the police bomb squad, contact other security
forces to back up (military personnel, police) and cordon off the
area.

6. Orderly direct traffic inflow and outflow around the
surrounding area.

Source: Jakarta Police